Small Flower
FILMS
Production
Writer
Director
Filmmaker
Rejena
Rahmani
​​​​​​She/Her
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​Rejena Rahmani is an independent filmmaker based in Vancouver who founded Small Flower Films Production. With over seven years of experience in the film industry, Rahmani has developed her talents in directing, writing, editing, cinematography and early-stage production.
Rahmani is a new-generation Afghan filmmaker aiming to create realistic and journalistic cinema that draws attention to various injustices, brutalities, and atrocities worldwide, including Canada. Her films are a powerful voice that raises essential questions on critical issues of today's society, such as gay rights in India or Vancouver's homelessness and fentanyl crisis. She intends to create awareness and promote positive societal change through her work.
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She collaborates with diverse artists from various backgrounds, supporting their artistic journeys while continuing to explore and learn about her passion for filmmaking.
ONE
Student Film: Hidden In Plain Sight - 2017
Writer, Director: Rejena Rahmani
Cinematographers: Rejena Rahmani, Laura Solano Alvarado, & Eduardo Caceres
Editor: Rejena Rahmani, Laura Solano Alvarado
Sound: Rejena Rahmani, Eduardo Caceres
Subtitles: Rejena Rahmani
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Film Synopsis: "Hidden in Plain Sight" is a poignant short documentary that marks Rejena's debut as a filmmaker. The documentary narrates the story of an 18-year-old Indian student who identifies as gay but is still reluctant to reveal his true identity due to the oppressive societal norms towards homosexuality in India. The protagonist leaves his homeland and family behind to pursue his academic aspirations as an international student at Capilano University in Canada, hoping to escape his peers' and society's restrictive beliefs and attitudes. However, he gradually realizes that he must undertake a personal journey to accept himself as he is and attain true liberation. This film sheds light on the harsh realities faced by homosexual men in India, where it is still a taboo topic.
Screening Link: Hidden in Plain Sight on Vimeo
Back in 2017, Rahmani took up a role as a Mental Health Worker for the PHS Community Services Society stationed at East Hastings Street. Her firsthand experiences as a first responder fueled her passion to create an award-winning documentary film, 'Lost Boys.' Not only did she direct and produce it, but she also took charge of the entire filming and editing process.
TWO
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LOST BOYS - 2017-2022
Writer, Director, & Producer: Rejena Rahmani
Cinematographer: Rejena Rahmani
Editor: Rejena Rahmani, Laura Solano Alvarado, & Eduardo Caceres
Music: Dear Gravity 'Say Something,' Sony Music-Ruth. B 'Lost Boy,' Sivan Taimor' Deep Blue Sea'
Subtitles: Rejena Rahmani​
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Official Selection, Short Doc Film: Vancouver Short Film Festival, 2022
Best Short Documentary Film: Golden Sparrow International Film Festival, Special Jury Award, 2021
Best Short Documentary Film: Uruvatti International Film Festival, Special Jury Award, 2021
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Film Synopsis: Experience the power of resilience and dedication with Alan's story in this short documentary. Follow his journey as he navigates through the challenges of heroin addiction and poverty in East Hastings Street. Despite it all, Alan remains committed to his passion for poetry, providing a poignant and inspiring glimpse into the lives of people without homes in Vancouver. This film is an eye-opening reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of pursuing one's dreams, no matter the odds.
Screening Link: https://vimeo.com/718065361
In 2018, Laura Solano Alvarado and Rejena collaborated to co-direct her third experimental film, 'Kindred.' The film was created within the intense 72-hour timeframe of the Olympus 72HourFilmmakerShowdown competition, challenging terms to write, shoot, edit and produce a 3-5 minute short film. Despite the pressures and challenges, they pushed themselves to create a powerful and inspiring film that ultimately made it to the top 10 finalists.
THREE
KINDRED - 2018
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Writer, Director: Laura Solano Alvarado, Rejena Rahmani
Starring: Andrew Warner, Desiree Wallace
Cinematographers: Laura Solano Alvarado, Desiree Wallace, Rejena Rahmani
Editor: Laura Solano Alvarado, Rejena Rahmani
Music: Alex Cooper "Reel Dreams 1", Peter Sanberg Epidemic Sound "Blissful 5 Stems Melody"
Top 10 finalists, Short Experimental Film: Olympus 72hrFilmmakerShowdown, 2018
Film Synopsis: Kindred' Two like-mind individuals break free from all social norms and dive into curiosity and desires, highlighting the unexpected connections with others with open arms while celebrating what it means to stand out in your individualism.
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Screening Link: KINDRED
In 2020, she was the cinematographer on Celine Simpson's short experimental film 'Lore,' which won Best Experimental Film at the ARFF International Film Festival in 2021.
LORE - 2020
Director: Celine Simpson
Cinematographer: Rejena Rahmani
Editor: Morgan Sidky
Music: Exeunt-LK
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Winner, Best Experimental Film, ARFF AMSTERDAM Film Festival 2021
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Film Synopsis: Symbolism and mythologies associated with feminity are inverted to create strange, beautiful, and unnerving imagery; dreamlike and surreal details invoke the absurdity of the stereotypes we hear echoed within society. Lore explores themes of socially constructed tropes, feminism, self-expression, self-love, sexuality, and awakening.
FOUR
Canada's Legacy - 2021
Writer, Director & Producer: Rejena Rahmani
Cinematographers: Rejena Rahmani, Morgan Sidky
Editor: Rejena Rahmani
Music: Fjodor
Film Synopsis: "Canada's Legacy" is a powerful and poignant cinema verite film that sheds light on a dark chapter in Canadian history. Through its powerful visuals of Vancouver City, the film challenges us to confront and acknowledge the painful legacy of unmarked and unrecorded graves of the Indigenous First Nation children. It is a call to action for all Canadians to recognize this dark chapter in our history and take action for all Canadians to stand up and demand justice for the Indigenous communities that have suffered for far too long.
Rejena is working on her debut feature film, "Rezagul - Little Flower". The story centers around a young Hazara girl named Rezagul, whose life is tragically impacted by war, immigration, poverty, domestic violence, and the untimely death of her mother at a tender age.
The primary objective of the film is to shed light on the continuing conflict surrounding the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan. It aims to raise awareness about war's devastating consequences on individuals and communities alike.
FIVE
In Development
REZAGUL - 'Little Flower' 2022 -
Writer, Director: Rejena Rahmani
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Film Log Line: Rezagul, a five-year-old Hazara Afghan girl, tries to make sense of her world when unfortunate events are set in motion, changing the course of her destiny forever.